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Medical Information

Medical Assistance

Doctors on Board

Austrian Airlines is to join the "Arzt an Bord" (Doctor on Board) programme of the Lufthansa Group. Under the programme, doctors can have themselves registered immediately. After the first flight registered doctors receive 5,000 award miles along with a pocket book of in-flight medicine. Extension of the programme means a fundamental benefit for Austrian Airlines: the pool of flying doctors is being expanded throughout the Lufthansa Group. The doctor benefits from award miles.

The names of registered doctors are stored in a Miles & More database, together with their specialisation. This allows flight attendants to approach the doctor in the event of an emergency and request their help. Doctors also have liability insurance against claims for compensation.

Austrian Airlines is working on a transition to the new programme of the Lufthansa Group. Doctors can already register here for the programme.

Medical Equipment on Board

Standard European recommendations exist for the medical equipment which should be carried on board aircraft:

emergency medical kit: a type of large doctor’s case

first aid kit: contains first aid equipment

on-board chemist (additional with some airlines): contains a number of different types of medication useful for everyday use

Medical Clearance

Medical Clarification und Airworthiness

We ask passengers to seek medical advice before boarding a flight recovering from:

guests with a disability that has been unchanged since birth or for an extended period of time

guests assigned a wheelchair due to damage to the skeletal and musculoskeletal system (inflammatory or degenerative) suffered as a result of disease (e.g. MS, brittle-bone disease)
for further details, see Disabled Access to Flights

guests with mild forms of chronic obstructive bronchitis and asthma, which do not cause seizures, and are being successfully treated with the patient's own medication and when the doctor responsible for treatment of the condition does not feel it is necessary for you to receive oxygen during the flight

guests who have had a heart attack several weeks previously without any additional complications, provided that the cardiologist responsible for treatment of the condition has no concerns

Due to valid security regulations in various countries we recommend you to take along a medical certificate for cardiac pacemakers or impanted metal parts. Inform the security staff before passing the security check.

Flight Clearance from the Medical Service

When do I require flight clearance from the medical service of Austrian Airlines?

after serious operations

in the first few weeks after a serious disease has appeared

for passengers being transported on board in a lying position

for passengers who require additional oxygen or other medical devices on board

if passengers are travelling in order to undergo medical treatment

If you fall into one of these categories, please be sure to write to our Special Cases Desk at specialcases@austrian.com or send us a fax +43 5 1766 51043.

The information form is the basis for your flight clearance, it is to be completed by the doctor responsible for your treatment.

Transportation of a Sick Person

When do we have to refuse to transport a sick person by air?

if it is reasonable to expect medical complications to arise for a diseased person during the flight due to their poor general state of health

if the passenger would require medical attention, and this is not possible

if the doctor treating the condition refuses to provide information of any kind about the disease

if there is a possibility of infectious diseases being transmitted to other passengers

Frequent Traveller's Medical Card

The issuance of a FREMEC (Frequent Traveller's Medical Card) might simplify your journey if you travel a lot by air:

All your assistance requirements are recorded on the card, which replaces the need for the completion of the mecial information form (MEDIF) which is otherwise necessary for every flight.

Your individual care package will be aligned with the assistance requirements on the FREMEC. Therefore it is important that you contact our Special Cases Desk whenever you book a flight.

The card will be valid for at least one year - depending on your physical and medical condition.

Flying when Pregnant

Up to how many weeks before giving birth is it allowed to fly?

Austrian Airlines accept pregnant women who are more than four weeks from their expected due date, as birth in Central Europe occurs too early in 6 or 7 % of the cases, around the 38th pregnancy week.

Each risk pregnancy means an absolute no for flying!

A pregnant woman should consult her gynecologist or treating doctor prior to every flight during the pregnancy as there could be a higher risk of the development of a deep vein thrombosis.

At what age is it safe for a newborn baby to fly?

With healthy newborn babies it is possible to fly only 7 days after birth. However, the mother is advised to consult with treating doctor regarding increased thromboses risk after birth.

Baby Basket

A baby basket is a baby bed provided by the airlines on long-range flights to accomodate babies up to 6-8 months old. The baby-basket itself is free of charge but the service is only possible together with a seat reservation on a bulk head seat which is subject to a seat reservation fee.

Traveller's Thrombosis

Definition of the Traveller's Thrombosis and Causing Factors

The Traveller's Thrombosis is a thrombosis that occurs in the deep venous system of the lower extremities (with or without pulmonary embolism complications) of a person, who did not show any signs of acute venous embolism at the time of departure, resulting from a prolonged seating during flights. The Traveller's Thrombosis is also known as "deep vein thrombosis" or DVT.

The low mobility fostered by long-haul flights favors the developments of deep vein thrombosis in patients with existing risk factors.

Causing factors in the development of thrombosis

pressure on the upper thighs, caused by prolonged sitting and low mobility in narrow seats and rows

low air humidity on board can favor the formation of blood clots in cases where passenger may be lacking fluids

Preventive Measures

Abundant intake of mineral water, still water, soft drinks, herbal tea are recommended. An additional 1 to 2 litres is advisable, depending on the flight duration!
Avoid excessive intake of coffee, black tea, and alcohol as these drinks have a dehydrating effect.

Exercise on board - Exercises generally activate the muscle pump, which accelerates the flow of blood in the veins. Wear clothing that is loose and comfortable to avoid the restriction of the blood flow. Do isometric exercises. While sitting, carry out circling and jiggling leg exercises. From time to time, take exercises for the leg muscles, like tensing and relaxing the lower and upper thigh muscles. Massage legs.

Compression stocking of the category 1-2 are recommended, even in the case of a low risk for thrombosis. Most of the time, knee-socks are sufficient. Please consider that expert advise is absolutely necessary. Material of poor quality or bad fitting in the back of the knee together with folds are unsuitable! Depending on the medical condition, calf socks of different categories are recommendable.

Medication improving blood flow - Usually, low molecular heparin can be subcutaneously injected to the fat tissue of the abdominal wall or upper thigh. The passenger has to learn from the doctor how to self-inject and should also eb aware of the side effects and contra-indications.

Medsafe, a business unit of New Zealand's Ministry of Health, also provides useful information and recommendations.

Risk Categories

Category

Description

category 1 - low risk

Every prolonged seating period during long-haul flights may present a low risk for passengers.

category 2 - moderate risk

In addition to a prolonged flight duration, pregnancy or post-natal period or at least two of the following factors:* be aged 60 years and over* clinically relevant heart diseases* presence of vascular diseases in the family/susceptibility to vein affections* large varicose veins, chronical venous insufficienc* ovulation suppressors (birth control pill)/post-menopausal, hormone replacement therapy* obesity (BMI > 30)* exsiccosis

category 3 - high risk

In addition to a prolonged flight duration,* venous thromboembolism antecedent* malignant tumors or other serious diseases of the sort* leg injuries requiring the immobilization of the limb* recovery from an operation involving a high risk of thrombosis

* compression stockings (compression class I)* for passengers with venous insufficiency, it is advisable to wear the appropriate calf-length compression stockings* in special cases, such as pregnancy, consider use of low molecular weight heparin (see category 3)

categrory 3 - high risk

in addition to the general measures (see category 1) and compression stockings (see category 2), consider use of low molecular weight heparin as follows:

* subcutaneous application right before departing* once daily for round trips* before each trip presenting a high risk of thrombosis (see risk categories)

Vaccinations

Besides general recommendations, an individual travel medical consultation is advisable!

On its website, the World Health Organization (WHO) also provides comprehensive information about infectious diseases, vaccination certificate requirements, and on the malaria situation in the world.

The Traveler's Health section of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an agency of the US Department of Health and Human Services, is also a reliable source containing very detailed, up-to-date facts and useful tips.

Portable Medical Electronic Devices

Portable medical electronic devices are dangerous articles which may be carried only under special transport conditions.

Following portable oxygen concentrators have been tested and approved by the Austrian Airlines technical department. They may be used on board our flights for medical reasons. Non approved devices may be taken into the passenger cabin, but must not be used during the flight.

Approved Oxygen Concentrators by myAustrian to be used on Board

POC-Type

Manufacturer

LifeStyle; FreeStyle; FreeStyle5; Focus (AS078)

AirSEP Corporation

Delphi RS-00400

Delphi Medical Systems

iGo

De Vilbiss Healthcare

Inogen One; Inogen One G2; Inogen One G3

Inogen, Inc.

LifeChoice, LifeChoice Activox

Inova Labs, Inc.

International Biophysics LifeChoice

Intern. Biophysics, Inc.

Invacare XPO2; SOLO2

Invacare Corporation

Oxlife Independence Oxygen Concentrator

Oxlife LLC

Oxus RS-00400

Oxus

Easy Pulse

Precision Medical

Evergo; Simply Go

Respironics Inc.

Eclipse; SAROS

Sequel Technologies

If you want to use one of the portable oxygen contentrators listed above or your CPAP device on board our flights, following conditions must be met:

a minimim 48 hours advance notification before departure to specialcases@austrian.com please provide:
name, flight and date or your reservation reference number and
brand and exact type of the device and
which kind of batteries/rechargeable batteries are used and
your request (permanent or partial/standby use)

for flight safety reasons, your device must be switched off and stowed during flight phases in which the flight crew considers it essential (e.g. take off, landing)

the outer package of the device must bear a manufacturer's label indicating the name of the device

In case of permanent use sufficient non-spillable battery power for 150 % of the maximum flight duration must be available (if the flight duration is 4 hours, you have to take battery power for 6 hours).
Mind that the device's connection to the aircraft electrical power is not possible as a constant electric supply cannot be ensured!

batteries carried on board the aircraft in carry-on baggage must be protected from short circuit and from physcial damage

Allergen Labelling on Food Products

On 13 December 2014, the EU regulation 1169/2011 on the provision of food information to consumers came into effect. The purpose of the new regulation is to ensure that consumers with food allergies or intolerance are informed about the use of allergenic ingredients in food products.

The new legislation also has an influence on the airline industry. The regulation requires that all airlines departing from EU countries including Norway and Switzerland must be able to provide clear information to passengers about the presence of possible allergens in the meals provided on board.

Austrian Airlines provides all required information on possible allergenic ingredients in food and beverages, served on board of our EU flights (including Switzerland and Norway). In case you have any food allergy or similar concerns, please talk to your doctor before travelling with us. Austrian Airlines will not take any responsibility for any allergic reaction you might have on one of our flights.